vantarsi
/vanˈtar.si/
To brag in Italian is vantarsi.
The verb vantarsi is used to describe the act of boasting. If you want to brag about a specific achievement or thing, you should use the preposition di after the verb, such as in vantarsi di qualcosa. To say someone is bragging about a specific quality or state, such as being smart or rich, use the construction vantarsi di essere followed by the adjective.
Meaning: to boast (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
vantarsi is a reflexive verb, which means you must use reflexive pronouns (mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si) when you conjugate it in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable. The IPA is /vanˈtar.si/.
Did you know?
- In Italian, bragging is often linked to the word campanilismo, the fierce pride and boastfulness people feel for their own bell tower or small hometown.
- To describe someone who brags constantly in a boastful, loud way, Italians use the adjective fanfarone, which evokes the sound of a loud brass fanfare.
- While vantarsi is the standard verb, Italians often use the expression fare il fenomeno to describe someone acting like a big shot or bragging about their skills.
Examples in context
- Gli uomini amano vantarsi.Men love to brag.This sentence is useful for seeing how vantarsi is used to describe people's habits.Tatoeba #13298160 by Guybrush88, translation #9203812 by CK
- Non è educato vantarsi dei propri successi.It is not polite to brag about one's accomplishments.
- Marco fa sempre il fanfarone quando parla dei suoi successi.Marco always brags when he talks about his achievements.
- Conosco qualcuno che fa sempre sfoggio delle sue capacità.I know someone who always brags about their abilities.
- Non deve vantarsi troppo.He shouldn't boast too much.
- Lei ama vantarsi della sua nuova auto.She loves to boast about her new car.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are talking about a coworker at a cafe.
- GiuliaMarco continua a vantarsi del suo lavoro.Marco keeps boasting about his job.
- LorenzoLui non smette mai di vantarsi.He never stops boasting.
- GiuliaÈ davvero un tipo fastidioso.He is a really annoying guy.
- LorenzoHai ragione, Giulia.You are right, Giulia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brag” translations and entries vantarsi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
